First thing yesterday morning, we headed out just before sunrise to get in line for a tour to the USS Arizona. We were fortunate to arrive early - the line wrapped around the entire parkway! You can see it just behind Aly and Brandan here:
It was a beautiful sunny day, but such a somber event to attend.
The names of those who were lost stood gigantic next to these little ones coping to understand. So many questions, but so difficult to explain. The hardest question was about the names that were imprinted apart from the wall in the lower left corner. These are the names of the men who survived the attack on Pearl Harbor, who chose to have their remains - years later - laid to rest with their fellow shipmates.
Brandan's heavy heart was lifted when he had the opportunity to meet one of the very few survivors at a nearby area of the museum. He questioned him about war, and was told it was something awful that his eyes should never wish to witness.
We continued on to visit the Punchbowl which sit above the city of Honolulu inside of a 10,000 year old crater. From atop of Punchbowl the city was a beautiful view below.
The afternoon gave us time to enjoy some more of the sunshine, waves, and salty air. My little beach baby can't get enough of the sand and water this trip. She freaks out when it is time to head in for dinner.
Brandan is just about the same on this sentiment. There could never be enough hours in the day to make him happier than the time spent here.
We hit a wonderful place called Tiki's Bar & Grill for dinner. We feasted on ribs, chicken and mai tai! Chato finally had an Obama encounter (in his dreams), after searching all over the island for him.
The kids celebrated the New Year (Chicago time) when our watches read 8pm. It was good thing they decided to make that choice, because they didn't make it to the Hawaiian midnight!
This morning we hit Ala Moana and headed back to the beach:
It was a beautiful sunny day, but such a somber event to attend.
The names of those who were lost stood gigantic next to these little ones coping to understand. So many questions, but so difficult to explain. The hardest question was about the names that were imprinted apart from the wall in the lower left corner. These are the names of the men who survived the attack on Pearl Harbor, who chose to have their remains - years later - laid to rest with their fellow shipmates.
Brandan's heavy heart was lifted when he had the opportunity to meet one of the very few survivors at a nearby area of the museum. He questioned him about war, and was told it was something awful that his eyes should never wish to witness.
We continued on to visit the Punchbowl which sit above the city of Honolulu inside of a 10,000 year old crater. From atop of Punchbowl the city was a beautiful view below.
The afternoon gave us time to enjoy some more of the sunshine, waves, and salty air. My little beach baby can't get enough of the sand and water this trip. She freaks out when it is time to head in for dinner.
Brandan is just about the same on this sentiment. There could never be enough hours in the day to make him happier than the time spent here.
We hit a wonderful place called Tiki's Bar & Grill for dinner. We feasted on ribs, chicken and mai tai! Chato finally had an Obama encounter (in his dreams), after searching all over the island for him.
The kids celebrated the New Year (Chicago time) when our watches read 8pm. It was good thing they decided to make that choice, because they didn't make it to the Hawaiian midnight!
This morning we hit Ala Moana and headed back to the beach:
and poolside.
We had another wonderful meal at Duke's Canoe Club, and took the beachwalk back to our hotel.
We found some shave ice, but the kids wanted to share!
Next stop: counting down the last hours...
We had another wonderful meal at Duke's Canoe Club, and took the beachwalk back to our hotel.
We found some shave ice, but the kids wanted to share!
Next stop: counting down the last hours...
5 comments:
That picture of them looking at the names is really good Candi...love the ones on the beach too! You guys need to come visit our beaches some time!
Still enjoying the pictures....I don't want your trip to end! LOL!
Happy New Year! What a wonderful place to bring in the new year. I enjoyed our visit to Pearl Harbor and Punchbowl - we were there right after Veterans Day - very beautiful! I'll keep checking back - enjoy the rest of your trip.
*sigh* Is it ending already?? Do you have a flikr accnt.? I'd love to see all the pics!! I can live vicariously through your pictures. See you (blech. gag. hurl.) Monday :(
Wow! This sounds like an amazing trip! Hawaii looks so beautiful this time of year; I bet it was a nice break from the frozen lands of Chicago! I hope your new year was wonderful, and I know it will bring lots of new challenges and blessings for you. Best of luck!
I love the new heading layout! How do you do that? Do you scrap a certain size and then scan it? I want to do one for mine!
When I get back to Miami in March, I am going to have way too much scrapping on my hands. I'm thinking I lock myself in my room for the summer and emerge with serveral scrapbooks laden with worldly memories! Not to mention a completely empty wallet (which is already light as is).
Anyway, enjoy the rest of vacation, and jump back into the new semester with renewed energy!
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